LB Marcus Freeman (HC Notre Dame, Constant Backtracker)

[Viking]

You've gotta think he was more injured than he let on this season. Running a 4.5 40 but he got blown away by USC's fullback? Hmmm...

That play has always stuck in my mind whenever I try to evaluate Freeman as a prospect. On one he hand he looks fantastic in cover drills at the combine and posts the best time in the drill indicative of change of direction ability, and yet Havili flat out left him in the dust. Its possible he just was too high on that play and couldn't recover (since Havili is more of a tailback than a true fullback anyway), but it still bugs me to no end, because I really like Freeman and that play is almost the only reservation I have regarding his draft stock.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I think that was just more of Havili being a great athlete than a knock on Freeman.

 

[BearBuck27]

I think that was just more of Havili being a great athlete than a knock on Freeman.

Very true. It's not like Havili is anything close to your average fullback.

 

[FrancisSoyer]

Looking at Havili's combine numbers does support that claim. Very small for a fullback (6', 225 lbs) and quick (4.59 avg 40) as well according to USC's web site. I guess maybe his head start was too much for Marcus to overcome. It happens but it still pisses me off when I watch it.

 

[BB73]

Marcus talks about Pro Day.

Official.site.video

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

Marcus Freeman's draft stock going up


By By Carlos "Big C" Holmes
Staff Writer

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Ohio State outside linebacker and Wayne graduate Marcus Freeman has performed as of late as if he is trying to persuade the Detroit Lions to select him with the first overall pick in April's draft.
Although being selected with the No. 1 pick seems highly unlikely for the former Buckeye, Freeman is proving that he belongs among the elite linebackers entering the draft. He has performed brilliantly in each of his last three showings, starting with the Senior Bowl, NFL draft combine and Pro Day.
Friday March 13, was no bad omen for Freeman as he blew NFL teams away with his performance at the school's pro day. He ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash; posted a 4.06 short-shuttle and ran a 6.60 in the 3-cone drill. Freeman had the fastest time among linebackers at the combine in the short-shuttle with a 4.12 and beat that time at the school workout. If that wasn't enough, his performance during position drills was near-perfect.
"People talked about how well I did at the combine, but for me I knew those weren't my best times," Freeman said Sunday. "I wanted to go into the pro day and make sure that I did my best. I was very pleased with my performance after the workout was over."
The linebacker left a lasting impression on the coaches in attendance, improving on all his numbers from the combine.
Freeman said the combine can be a bit overwhelming; he was more relaxed going through the drills at Ohio State and it showed.
How does he stack up?
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

Buckeyes? Marcus Freeman is King for a day

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 10:36 PM
Ohio State outside linebacker Marcus Freeman?s popularity continues to grow throughout the NFL draft process. He first grabbed the attention of NFL scouts with his performance at the Senior Bowl, Scouting Combine and Pro Day.
Freeman?s latest showing is said to be a sure crowd pleaser, but has nothing to do with his football prowess.
The good people at ESPN The Magazine, my favorite magazine for recognizing talent, selected five NFL prospects to come to New York City and give them the royal treatment. Marcus Freeman, Boise State running back Ian Johnson, Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell, Rice wide receiver Jarett Dillard and Iowa defensive tackle Mitch King were all made kings for a day.
Each year the NFL invites multiple prospects to New York City to take part in draft festivities. The players usually brought in are considered potential Top 10 picks. But we all know how heartfelt an invite can turn out to be. Just ask Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn, who sank like the Titanic on national television on draft day.
Cont...

 

[Buckskin86]

Updated: April 14, 2009
Kings for a Day II
The Mag invites five midround NFL prospects to take a bite of the Big Apple

SPEED DEMON

Marcus Freeman | LB | Ohio State

Location: Franklin Street

The six-foot, 239-pound Big Ten All-Academic selection didn't exactly zoom through the streets of Tribeca, but ask why he'll take off in the NFL and he'll insist, "It's my speed." Scouts agree, noting that he clocked 4.12 in the 20-yard shuttle at the combine -- quicker than any other linebacker, including his Buckeyes teammate (and likely first-rounder) James Laurinaitis.

When He'll Be Picked -- Third round
Draft-Day Plans -- Staying home with family

Future NFL midround draftees storm NYC - ESPN

Video

The Mag: Kings For A Day 2009 - ESPN Video - ESPN

 

[osucollegebuck]

All the projections have him going in the 3rd like that piece states, but I could see some teams getting upset by someone snagging him up in the middle second round.

 

[BB73]

Despite some criticism, CFN's Fiutak predicts that Marcus will be the best value pick among OLBs.

CFN

5. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State 6-1, 235
A workout warrior, he did it all at the Combine from running a 4.65 40 to benching 30 reps to leaping 37" to destroying the shuttle drill, he showed tremendous athleticism. However, he has had major problems staying healthy, dinged up with a variety of injuries, and he doesn't always play up to his strength. He can be erased by a decent blocker and he needs to be in space to make plays; he's simply not big enough. But if and when he?s healthy, like he was in his off-season workouts, he can be a different player and a star.
CFN Projection: Third Round

The Best Value Pick Will Be ... Marcus Freeman, Ohio State

 

[Buckskin86]

OSU football: As NFL nears, two pals savor the college life
Laurinaitis, Freeman have forged a close friendship
Thursday, April 23, 2009
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Courtney Hergesheimer Dispatch
Marcus Freeman and James Laurinaitis hit it off in 2005 and now share an apartment. Soon, each will have his own digs.

The sliding door was opened to give them a running head start.

First James Laurinaitis, then Marcus Freeman dashed out the door, onto the balcony, and hurled clementines in a high arc to an eventual splashdown in the large pond outside Laurinaitis' third-floor apartment.

The small oranges bobbed to the surface, one a few feet past the other, and Laurinaitis was declared the champion fruit-flinger.

It was just another of the impromptu games and competitions the two former Ohio State linebackers have invented over the past three-plus years of close friendship. Anyone who has had siblings or college roommates probably can relate to the relaxed goofiness that filled the apartment on a recent weeknight.

The jabs, both verbal and physical, were nearly nonstop for over an hour. To say that these two, both of whom are likely to be selected on the first day of the NFL draft Saturday, are comfortable with each other is an understatement.

"Did he tell you he was more interested in my father than me?" Laurinaitis asks a visitor.

Freeman, a huge professional wrestling fan, has said that when he first met Laurinaitis, he was excited about meeting the son of wrestler Joe "Animal" Laurinaitis.

"OK, I just want to make sure he actually declared that, that he uses me for wrestling tickets," James said, satisfied.

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU football: As NFL nears, two pals savor the college life

The Way We Hear It — draft edition
Medical results could influence teams' draft decisions
By Nolan Nawrocki
April 22, 2009

With only days remaining before the draft, most teams have gone through their medical meetings already and have shifted players down their boards or off them altogether. The way we hear it, some notable talent was dinged for medical reasons.

In a league where doctors’ opinions tend to be valued like scouts’, the prognosis made by some doctors may not affect players at all, given that 32 team doctors often view injuries very differently. Nevertheless, following are players whose draft stock may be affected on draft weekend because of medical reasons.

Ohio State OLB Marcus Freeman — Was slowed by ankle and knee injuries that have been a hindrance throughout his career, especially as a senior, and despite playing through injuries the last two years, long-term durability questions remain about his knees.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2009/wwhi042209.htm

 

[Buckskin86]

Freeman will be on call this weekend for dream come true
By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer
Friday, April 24, 2009

Ron Alvey Kurt Coleman (left) helps Marcus Freeman put on a jersey just prior to posing for pictures during a BCS championship game media event in December 2007. "I'm going to miss the friendships," Freeman said about leaving Ohio State.
Staff photo by Ron Alvey

Marcus Freeman will be chillin’ with family and friends at his apartment in the Columbus suburb of Dublin today, April 25.

Just him and his parents, Michael and Chong; his brother, Michael Jr.; and his roommates.

The TV will be on, too, as they catch some of the NFL draft.

More than anything else, Freeman will be waiting for his cell phone to ring. When he gets the call from the team that drafts him — if not today, then definitely Sunday — the moment will be magic.

“It’s going to be a huge dream come true,” he said.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayt...l-this-weekend-for-dream-come-true-95306.html

Count on OSU?s Freeman 
to compete in everything
By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer
Saturday, April 25, 2009

Marcus Freeman?s parents met in Korea when his father served in the United States Air Force.

Now Michael and Chong Freeman are poised to send their son into the wild blue yonder of the NFL.

Ohio State?s outside linebacker from Wayne High School has dreamed about this moment since he was a kid. He?s about to get selected in the 74th annual NFL Draft, which unfolds today and Sunday, April 25-26.

Q What?s your mindset as the draft drama builds?

A It?s been a roller coaster of emotions. At times, you?re nervous. At times, you?re sad that you?re leaving Ohio State. And then you?re excited to find out where you?re going. You have coaches calling you and your agent?s calling you, and everybody?s telling you you?re going here and there. You?ve just got to wait and find out what?s going to happen.

Q What will you be doing today?

A I?m going to be relaxing at my apartment in Dublin with my family. They?re still in Dayton, but they?re going to come up to Columbus. We?ll play cards, have a couple games of Cornhole and we might go hit some golf balls. We?re going to stay busy. We?ll watch a little bit of the draft and just try to do things we do on a normal Saturday, even though it?s not going to be a normal Saturday.

Count on OSU’s Freeman ?to compete in everything

 

[OregonBuckeye]

5th round and Freeman is still on the board.

 

[morbitzerker]

I'm hoping the Falcons get him with their pick right here.

edit: Didn't get him.

 

[Rookie]

5th round and Freeman is still on the board.

I'm pretty amazed that he's still on the board. I honestly suspected to wake up this morning and hear his name as one of the first ones called. As malcom said on the draft program earlier god has a plan.